Mount Si High School varsity girls basketball
Head coach: Jason Marr
Captains: Sam Smith, Lauren Wilbourne.
Seniors: Sam Smith, Lauren Wilbourne and Aliea Bliven.
Excited for: Game one, says Jason Marr, the girls team’s new coach this season. “To start a new era is most exciting,” he said, adding “I’m lucky to have this group.”
The team has been through a lot of transition in the past three years, with a new head coach each season, Marr said.
“When a program goes through as many head coaches as these seniors have, it’s hard to have trust and a competitive mindset,” he said, so that’s what his focus for the team will be.
“Just learning how to compete is going to be my first process.”
That means knowing how not to panic in a close game, with seconds left on the clock. Whether the team is ahead or behind, Marr says the emotions are the same and they need to be processed so the player can perform.
“They all have to feel those things,” he said.
Marr comes to the team with almost 20 years of basketball coaching experience, as well as some pro experience from his time working as a practice player against Seattle’s WNBA team the Seattle Storm and learning from their coaches.
He’s also coached at a variety of area high schools, both boys and girls. When asked his preference, he said, “I have three daughters,” and added that the coaching principles are the same, no matter the athlete. “The only difference is the guys dunk and the girls don’t.”
Advantages: With a strong core of sophomore players, Sela Heide, Nitika Kumar, Joelle Buck, and Izzy Smith, plus junior player Jenae Usselman, Marr said the team has plenty of versatility and room to grow, too.
“I look forward to big contributions from these kids,” Marr said.
2017-18 Mount Si Varsity Girls Basketball Schedule
Fri, Dec 1 vs. Newport at Home 6:30 p.m.
Mon, Dec 4 at Woodinville 6 p.m.
Fri, Dec 8 vs. Inglemoor at Home 6:30 p.m.
Wed, Dec 13 at Bothell 7:15 p.m.
Fri, Dec 15 at Eastlake 6 p.m.
Wed, Dec 20 vs. Juanita at Home 6:30 p.m.
Wed, Dec 27-30 Scripps Ra Surf n Slam (California)
Wed, Jan 3 vs. Skyline at Home 6:30 p.m.
Fri, Jan 5 at Issaquah 6:30 p.m.
Wed, Jan 10 at Newport 7:15 p.m.
Fri, Jan 12 vs. Woodinville at Home 6:30 p.m.
Sat, Jan 13 vs. North Creek at Home 6:30 p.m.
Wed, Jan 17 at Inglemoor 7:15 p.m.
Fri, Jan 19 vs. Bothell at Home 6:30 p.m.
Wed, Jan 24 vs. Eastlake at Home 7:15 p.m.
Fri, Jan 26 at North Creek 6 p.m. Wed, Jan 31 at Skyline 7:15 p.m.
Fri, Feb 2 vs. Issaquah at Home 6:30 p.m.
